Vivian Peltier of Wallington faces conspiracy charges as a result of the investigation, which began in April.

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A 70-year-old New Jersey woman was arrested Thursday, accused of trying to hire someone to assault people for money, prosecutors say.

Vivian Peltier of Wallington faces conspiracy charges as a result of the investigation, which began in April.

Prosecutors began looking into Peltier when they learned she was attempting to secure an "assault for hire." According to authorities, Peltier wanted someone to assault several people in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and to have the assailant demand the victims to pay money to Peltier.

It wasn't immediately clear if the victims owed Peltier money. The prosecutor's office said she has known her victims for a "substantial" period of time.

Peltier met with an undercover officer in Clifton April 30 to discuss a preliminary plan, and made a down payment on the contract.

That's when police converged on the meeting, the prosecutor's office said. Peltier was taken into custody and charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery.

Bail was set at $50,000.

It wasn't immediately clear if Peltier had an attorney.

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Published at 4:05 PM EDT on May 3, 2012 | Updated at 9:15 AM EDT on May 4, 2012